St. Catherine's Church and Mausoleum, Graz

Emperor Ferdinand II was not a savory character to everyone. He was born in 1578 in Graz. He was educated by Jesuits. He became emperor of Austria and protector of the faith (Catholic). He was the scourge of Protestants. He instigated the bloody Thirty Years War. He achieved his goal. Austria became Catholic. In 1614 he chose his mausoleum.

He commissioned his favorite architect, Giovanni Pietro de Pomis to build both his mausoleum and Saint Catherine's Church. Giovanni died with the church and mausoleum half-finished. Ferdinand was laid to rest in the half-done church. In 1687, Ferdinand's grandson, Leopold, hired architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach to finish the job.

The resting place of Ferdinand II is a combination of mausoleum and church. The mausoleum is under the cupola on the right side of the building. This is one of the most unusual buildings in Graz. It joins the Austrian Baroque Mannerist qualities with the dramatic appearance of Roman churches.

The size of the crypt is huge. The high altar was made in 1696 by J. B. Fischer von Erlach. The ceiling paintings are exceptionally fine. A convex mirror inside the crypt allows for a more extensive view of the ceiling paintings. The sarcophagus is underground. It is possible to climb the bell tower for a great panorama of Graz.